Shopping for appliances can be different for an RV. You’ll want to wash clothes and going to a laundromat can involve difficult parking. Having a washer and dryer in your RV can be very convenient.
You have some options when it comes to washing and drying clothes in your RV. You can get a single unit that offers both washing and drying in one machine, or you can get two machines that stack on top of one another.
Our article will review the advantages and disadvantages of both kinds. We will also be thoughtful about space considerations, potential prices, and other issues.
First, what are they?
A washer dryer combo offers a combination of a clothes washer and a clothes dryer in a single machine. A stackable washer and dryer is two units that can be stacked on one another to save space while offering two machines.
The washer dryer combo – Benefits and Downsides
Benefits
Space & Fit
Space is a big deal in an RV. You only get so many square feet to make a living space that includes a fridge, stove, microwave, and other appliances.
A washer dryer combo is a single unit that just takes up a few square feet of space. Be sure to measure your space before purchasing one, but they should generally fit in a small room with an outlet. RVs are often designed with this kind of room.
A combo also gives you the option to make more room for shelves and folding tables for your laundry setup. You could put a shelf over the combo itself to fold laundry immediately after drying and not leave clothes throughout the house.
Venting
Your home dryer likely have an aluminum or plastic hose that connects outside. The purpose of this is to allow the condensation to flow outdoors and not stay in the house. Most combos don’t have or need venting, saving more space and hardware needs.
Water Conservation
A washer and dryer combo is both the better way to conserve water compared to a stackable and the biggest drain on your water tank. Assuming you hook it up to your existing water tank, you’ll use water more quickly, but it will be a more efficient and environmentally friendly method.
Downsides
Capacity and your laundry process
Probably the biggest downside to a combo washer and dryer is that you can’t wash and dry at the same time. If you had your heart set on washing and drying loads together to save some time, it won’t be possible.
Combos are known to take up to three hours to wash and dry a single load, depending on how you set it. With the combo, the dryer will take longer without having venting, as there is a limit to the amount of heat the machine can produce.
Overstuffing
Without spending a lot extra, you’ll probably want to keep your load sizes small so they don’t take even longer. We suggest doing smaller loads in a combo to avoid using more water.
Stackable
Benefits
Speed & Efficiency
You’ve got a lot of laundry to do, and you need it done quick. Or you’ve got the family with you and need several loads done. A stackable washer and dryer can help more with that.
With the machines stacked, you can wash and dry at the same time. Depending on how you like it, you can wash and dry in just over an hour.
Capacity
Most modern washers and dryer stackables can handle also a full drum while maintaining the same quality of wash and dry. The load size won’t be a significant factor in washing or drying time, or at least not as much as so compared to the combo.
Fit & Space
Unless you have a really big RV, you probably won’t want to have a washer and dryer side by side. Stacking saves lots of space.
Downsides
Fit & Space
Even when stacked, a stackable washer and dryer still takes more space than a combo. Also, if you are shorter or can’t reach well, reaching up to grab your clothes out of the dryer might not be pleasant.
A stackable might not fit in your RV. Be sure to measure height and width before installing one.
Venting
Because they are operating at a higher temperature, a stackable generally needs some sort of venting to bring the condensation away. Not every RV is set up for venting.
Another solution for a stackable is to have the venting internal. This involves having a small container that collects the water afterward. These risk spilling and are more work to empty. They also take up more space.
Water
Stackables will use more water, as they aren’t all designed for RVs. Your best bet is to use them with a water source to avoid draining your tank quickly. The amount of water used will also likely lead to cleaner clothes.
Stacking
Stacking isn’t hard, but you’ll need help. We would suggest finding a retailer that sells the washer, dryer, and installation. Otherwise, you and someone else can carefully life the dryer on top of the washer and attach the hardware.
If you are able to life and attach brackets and screws, this is easier.
Conclusion
There are many benefits and disadvantages to both types of washer and dryer. Some of these benefits and disadvantages vary greatly by the manufacturer and model. Look at reviews for washers and dryers before making decisions and consider which models do what you want the best.
You’ll likely be washing clothes as often as you would at home, so give proper consideration for the differences in an RV. These include water, electricity, and venting. Otherwise, go for the units that best fit your lifestyle, budget, and abilities.
When shopping, you might also see that some washers and dryers are labeled as “for RV.” While this is a good label, do your own measurements and consider what you want or need over labels.
